EFFECT OF N-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS ON THE LIPIDIC PROFILE OF HEALTHY MEXICAN VOLUNTEERS

Objective. The effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the serum lipid profile in a Mexican population was evaluated. Material and meth ods. Three g of salmon oil was the daily intake during four weeks. Tot al cholesterol, triglycerides,low density lipoproteins, high density l ipoproteins and erythrocyte fatty acid composition were analyzed. Resu lts. The hypertriglyceridemic group showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction of triglycerides and significant (p < 0.01) elev ation of high density lipoproteins. The hypercholesterolemic group red uced significantly the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides; high d ensity lipoproteins were augmented by 11.6%. Conclusions. The hipolipi demic effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was manifest in the Me xican volunteers under the conditions here evaluated.